Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1887-09-26
WASHINGTON LETTEI.

! 81. Lawrence.
WASHINGTON LETTEL
! ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE xoSIoB.]
Washington. Sept. I9b.
It was a singular coincidencethat
the two sister republics Of North
America should both be jubilatilg at
the same moment over great events
in their history-the United Safes
celebrating the centennial of the COL
| stitution, and Mexico commem.rat-
ing the anniversary Of her Indepsnd-
ence and the birthday of her present
president. Diaz. What more is med
| ed TO demonstrate the fatherhool Of
God and the brotherhood Of man or
that the New World, at least. is the
permanent abode and the strong,
safe guardian Of the blessed booI of
freedom 50 gloriously won by the
blood and Drawn Of the fathers of
the Republic: The great pageant at
Philadelphia marks an important nile
stone in our country's history and
progress. that will only be less mem
orable in the annals Of the republic
than the celebration Of the centennial
Of the Declaration of Independence.
As educators of the people such
events arc - WI tLIs VI consideration
as in the light Of the patriotic senti-
ments that hallow them, for, during
several weeks past those who are ia
miliar with the circulating literature
OF our public libraries have observed
the great and growing demand for
works upon both the history and the
constitution Of the United States
There was an occurrence in the
treasury a day or two since that illus
trated the practical working and hen
eft Of true civil service reform-the
discovery By paying-teller Gibson Of
a fraudulent check that has been
raised from 81 to s2,4j0, which had
passed unchallenged through the
hands Of several banks, having been
issued two years ago. If this train
ed expert had been turned out for po-
IiticaI reasons, the probability is that
the United States treasurer would be
out over s., 900.
The senate select committee, whose
duty it Is to investigate the methods
Of conducting the departmental bust
ness Of the government, has received
the desired information. together
with much other useful and interest
ing matter from the interior and post
Office departments. The report shows
that there are a little over 900 en-
ployes Of the department, Of which
number the secretary appoints 3,189,
the remainder being presidential APP
pointees that q, 100 persons are en-
pIoyed in the postal service, divided
as follows: 600 are employed in the
post-office department proper, % are
postmasters Of the first class. 100 Of
the second class. .884 Of the third
class. and 2,41j Of the fourth class !:
tie railway mail clerks number 4744.
and the inland mail routes y, 2G4-
covering 37O,854 miles. The former
report makes $50 pages Of closely
printed matter In octave form-the
latter 412 pages, and both volumes
viii be very valuable as books Of ref
ereDce.
It l. thought that Secretary Bayard
desires an eastern man to fill the va
cancy in the office Of his first assist
ant. and among those prominently
discussed for the position j. the Hon.
Perry Belmont, the young congress-
man from New York, who was chair
man VI tie committee Oh foreign af-
fairs IN the iast congress but hard
~ think il probable that, great as is
the Empire state, it is entitled to a
third place-in the cabinet, hid al
most said. though it Is nearly a. i'm
poTtant a. that.
The project u connect the Capital
with the tomb Of Washington bv
means Of great roadway, u be call
ed Dit. Vernon Avenue, Is assuming
definite shape, public meeting hay-
ing taken all the necessary prelimina-
~ steps 70 put the patriotic enter
prise On successful footing. aud It
Is quite probable that the work will
be ultimately pushed to completion,
a. II has excited widespread interest
that viii materialize In q substantial
manner.
There died in tbis city, last week,
at the age Of u years, the last grand
daughter " Thomas Jefferson, Mrs.
sepliina Randolph 8ieiklelaln, lady
who bore remarkable personal re-